School of Social Welfare Dean's Update

A new academic year is underway at the KU School of Social Welfare. As we start the fall semester, we are excited to welcome new students and faculty to our community.

The School’s new faculty for fall 2025 include several familiar faces: Kortney Carr takes on a new role as assistant professor; Christopher Ward, who earned his BSW at KU, joins us as MSW program director; and Sara Rust and Stuart Waldman will expand their teaching roles as senior and multi-term lecturers.

Earlier this month, the School welcomed new students with Back to School Bash celebrations. In addition to offering fun activities, these events introduce students to the services and community that will support them through graduation: faculty and instructors, academic advisors, mentors, practicum education staff, student organizations, School committees, and student success staff.

On Sept. 26, we invite our alumni and friends to visit the School’s new home in Green Hall on the Lawrence campus. If you are in the area, I hope you’ll stop by to say hello and tour our renovated space on the third floor of Green Hall.

As always, please reach out with questions or concerns at any time at kusswdo@ku.edu. Your feedback and collaboration are extremely important to us.

Take good care and Rock Chalk,

Michelle Carney, PhD, MSSA
Dean and Professor
KU School of Social Welfare

Assistant Professor Ricka Mammah witnessed firsthand how Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) affects everyone, and the complexities that come with this issue. Dr. Mammah, an immigrant from Sierra Leone in West Africa, said she feels more open-minded and curious because of her upbringing.

That empathy led her to focus her research on IPV, particularly its impact on immigrant and other historically underserved populations. Her work emphasizes evidence-informed, client-centered social work practice and policy. 

The School of Social Welfare hired four new faculty members for the fall 2025 semester. The group brings a variety of research interests and teaching experiences to the school.

Kortney Carr, Assistant Professor: Kortney Carr joined the School of Social Welfare as an associate professor of the practice in 2017, and takes on a new role this fall as an assistant professor. In October 2024, Dr. Carr successfully defended her dissertation and earned her Ph.D. in Social Work from KU. Read more about Kortney Carr.

Christopher J. Ward (Chris), Associate Professor of the Practice and MSW Program Director: Christopher Ward comes to KU from Winthrop University in Rock Hill, South Carolina, where he was graduate director in the Department of Social Work. Ward completed a Doctor of Social Work degree from the University of Alabama. Read more about Christopher Ward.

Sara Rust, Senior Lecturer: Sara Rust has taught BSW and MSW courses as an adjunct instructor for the School since 2010. Rust completed a law degree at Washburn University and earned an MSW at KU. Read more about Sara Rust.

Stuart Waldman, Multi-term Lecturer: Stuart Waldman has taught clinically focused classes in the KU BSW and MSW programs since 2013. Waldman earned an MSW at KU. Read more about Stuart Waldman.

Alison Diehl had a career-altering experience as a civilian working with the U.S. Army in Korea two years ago. She witnessed a social worker calmly but adamantly advocate for her clients in intense situations. 

“She was the youngest person there by 20 years,” Diehl said. “She was just inspiring, so I talked to her a lot about social work for counseling and ended up here largely because of her.”

Here, in Diehl’s case, is the Online Master of Social Work program at KU. Diehl lives in Hawaii as an Air Force veteran with over a decade of nursing experience. Her husband, who has a graduate degree from KU, is an Army veteran, so Diehl has a particular interest in behavioral health support for young soldiers. 

The KU School of Social Welfare is excited to share our new home at Green Hall. Join us for an open house on Friday, Sept. 26, with opportunities to tour the new space on Green Hall's third floor.

Welcome to Green Hall Open House

Friday, Sept. 26
2:30 to 4:30 p.m.
Green Hall, 3rd Floor
1535 West 15th St.
Lawrence, KS 66045 (map and directions)

Read more about the School's new home at Green Hall.

Research Impact Talk: Trauma-Informed Practice With Black Men, For Empowerment, Hope, and Healing
Wednesday, Sept. 10
12-1:30 p.m.
Virtual
CEU: 1.5

DSW Information Sessions
Sept. 16, Oct. 21
12-1 p.m.
Virtual

Bringing the Code to the Ballot: Social Work Practice in Elected Office
Wednesday, Sept. 24
12-2 p.m.
Virtual
CEU: 2 Ethics

MSW/DSW Info Session Lunch and Learn
Thursday, Oct. 2
11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.
KU School of Medicine - Wichita

Reclaiming Resilience: Centering Survivor Wisdom to Facilitate Thriving
Thursday, Oct. 16
12-2 p.m.
Virtual
CEU: 2

Healing at Every Level: Clinical Strategies for Youth DBT and a Vision for Rural Behavioral Health
Friday, Nov. 7
8:30 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Center for Counseling and Consultation, Great Bend, KS
CEU: 3.5 (2 diagnosis/treatment, 1.5 general)

Monica Sierra-Mayberry, MSW 2007, was highlighted in a July 2025 newsletter from the Community Mental Health Fund. Mayberry is director of community behavioral health at Mattie Rhodes Center in Kansas City. Read the article.

Claire Ramsey, BSW 2023, MSW 2025, celebrated two years as an adult mental health case manager at Johnson County Mental Health.

Marsena Irvine, MSW 2024, joined The Center for Counseling & Consultation as a therapist. The Center serves Barton, Pawnee, Stafford and Rice counties. Read more.

Whether you just received a promotion, started a new position or project, or moved across the country, the School of Social Welfare wants to keep updated on your life adventures. Update your contact information and share your alumni news.

Mary Margaret Hargadon, MSW 1987, passed away on July 24, 2025, at the age of 81. Read obituary.

Janet Rusch Carter, MSW 1993, passed away on July 15, 2025, at the age of 74. Read obituary.

Roberta Louise “Robbie” Bridges, MSW 1994, passed away on July 24, 2025, at the age of 74. Read obituary.

Tenley Lee Brown, MSW 1998, passed away on June 15, 2025, at the age of 69. Read obituary.

The School of Social Welfare welcomed students back for the fall semester on the third floor of Green Hall in August with a scavenger hunt, crafts, cookies, refreshments and friendly introductions. 

We can't wait to continue the semester with our bright social work students. Thank you to everyone who joined and made it a special way to start the academic year. 

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